Domel CENTRIC CF48R Benchtop High-Capacity Refrigerated Centrifuge

Overview

The Domel CENTRIC CF48R is a high-capacity benchtop refrigerated centrifuge engineered for routine and demanding separation tasks in clinical diagnostics, bioprocessing, and academic research laboratories. It operates on the principle of sedimentation under controlled gravitational force (RCF), enabling efficient pelleting, clarification, and density-based separation of biological suspensions—including whole blood, cell cultures, tissue homogenates, and large-volume buffer preparations. Its robust swing-out horizontal rotor architecture ensures mechanical stability during prolonged operation at up to 4500 rpm, delivering a maximum relative centrifugal force (RCF) of 3830 × g—sufficient for pelleting mammalian cells, subcellular organelles, and macromolecular complexes such as ribosomes and viral particles. The integrated refrigeration system maintains precise temperature control between –20 °C and +40 °C, critical for preserving thermolabile analytes (e.g., enzymes, nucleic acids, and labile protein complexes) during extended runs. With a total capacity of 4 × 400 mL, the CF48R bridges the performance gap between standard benchtop units and floor-standing preparative systems—offering scalability without requiring dedicated infrastructure.

Key Features

• High-capacity horizontal rotor supporting four 400 mL bottles or compatible tube formats (1.5 mL–400 mL via optional adapters)
• Precise temperature regulation from –20 °C to +40 °C with rapid cool-down (≤15 minutes from ambient 22 °C to 4 °C)
• Brushless induction motor ensuring low maintenance, high torque consistency, and operational longevity
• Dual electric lid latches with interlocked safety monitoring compliant with IEC 61010-2-020 requirements
• Backlit LCD interface with intuitive navigation, dual timer modes (seconds and hours), and 10 programmable method storage slots
• Adjustable acceleration and deceleration profiles (10-step grading) to minimize sample disturbance during spin-up and braking
• Acoustically optimized chamber design achieving <62 dB(A) noise emission at full load—suitable for shared laboratory environments
• Comprehensive rotor recognition logic (via embedded RFID or mechanical coding) prevents mismatched rotor-speed combinations

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CENTRIC CF48R accommodates a broad range of primary containers—including polypropylene and polycarbonate centrifuge bottles (up to 400 mL), conical tubes (15–50 mL), microcentrifuge tubes (0.2–2.0 mL), and 2 × 3 microplate carriers (RM 2/64 rotor). All rotors are validated for use with common biological media and reagents, including sucrose gradients, Ficoll-Paque®, Percoll®, and ammonium sulfate solutions. The instrument complies with ISO 13485:2016 (for medical device-related applications), meets essential safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 and IEC 61010-2-020, and supports GLP/GMP workflows through audit-trail-capable parameter logging (when paired with optional data export modules). Temperature calibration is traceable to NIST-certified references; RCF accuracy is verified per ASTM E2917-21.

Software & Data Management

While the CF48R operates via its embedded standalone controller, it supports USB-based data export for run logs—including timestamped speed, temperature, duration, RCF, and rotor ID. Optional firmware upgrades enable CSV-formatted output compatible with LIMS integration (e.g., LabVantage, STARLIMS) and electronic lab notebook (ELN) platforms. All user-defined protocols are stored locally with non-volatile memory retention and password-protected access levels (operator/admin). For regulated environments, the system can be configured to meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed with validated third-party software extensions that enforce electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based permissions.

Applications

• Whole blood fractionation into plasma, buffy coat, and packed red cells in clinical hematology labs
• Harvesting bacterial and yeast cultures (OD₆₀₀ > 5.0) prior to lysis or cryopreservation
• Clarification of clarified lysates in recombinant protein purification workflows
• Preparative isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and exosomes using differential ultracentrifugation-compatible protocols
• Large-scale buffer exchange and desalting of purified antibodies or oligonucleotides
• Stability testing of biopharmaceutical formulations under accelerated thermal stress conditions

FAQ

What is the maximum RCF achievable with the standard 4 × 400 mL horizontal rotor?
The RS 4/400 rotor achieves a maximum RCF of 3830 × g at 4500 rpm.
Does the CF48R support rotor auto-recognition?
Yes—the system identifies installed rotors via mechanical coding and enforces speed/temperature limits based on certified rotor specifications.
Can the centrifuge operate continuously for over 24 hours?
Yes, provided ambient temperature remains within 2–35 °C and humidity ≤75% RH; continuous operation is validated for unattended overnight runs.
Is the temperature calibration traceable to international standards?
Yes—factory calibration uses NIST-traceable reference probes; field recalibration kits are available upon request.
Are rotor adapters for microtubes included by default?
No—adapters for tubes smaller than 50 mL are optional accessories (e.g., 1.5 mL, 5 mL, 15 mL, and 50 mL inserts for the RS 4/400 rotor) and must be ordered separately.